“No extra cash,” say Public Lands directors by Christine Parrish Free Press news story “This is not the State’s woodlot. It’s the people’s land. It’s our land. We hold it in trust for Maine people. It’s not just about the money we make.” — Will Harris, former director, Maine Public Lands The first hurdle for Read More
Maine Legislature
The Natural Resources Council of Maine reviews every bill being considered by the Maine Legislature to determine which ones deserve support and which ones should be opposed based on their potential impact on Maine’s environment. Read more about the bills we are following and taking action on.
New Commission Debating Future of Our 600,000 Acres of Public Lands
All Mainers have right and responsibility to provide input on priorities to the panel. By George Smith Central Maine newspapers column We have a big stake in the work of the new Commission to Study the Public Reserved Lands Management Fund, organized by the Legislature. After all, we own those 600,000 acres of public lands. Read More
Land for Maine’s Future Too Vulnerable to Governor’s Whims
The structure of the popular conservation program should be changed so one person can’t stall it unilaterally. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial Members of the Land for Maine’s Future board have a right to be angry. For years, the program has worked without a hitch. A bond was approved by the Legislature Read More
Land for Maine’s Future, LePage At Odds over Voter-Approved Bonds
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Hamstrung by a governor who refuses to release voter-approved conservation bonds and who has now frozen their assets, members of the Land for Maine’s Future board want lawmakers to provide a legislative solution to their funding problems. Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves and Falmouth Sen. Cathy Read More
LePage Cabinet Members Skip Land for Maine’s Future Meeting
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The Land for Maine’s Future board of directors convened another meeting Tuesday without a quorum and was unable to vote on projects that have been awaiting action for months. Among those absent from Tuesday’s meeting were all three members of Gov. Paul Read More
LePage Has Halted Operating Funds for Land for Maine’s Future
The governor already has withheld $11.5 million in voter-approved bonds that have yet to be committed, but now has frozen the program’s existing cash on hand as well By Eric Russell, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage has frozen operational spending within Land for Maine’s Future as his administration prepares to Read More
Governor LePage Tightens His Strangle Hold on the Land for Maine’s Future Program
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Governor Paul LePage is withholding operating funds from the Land for Maine’s Future Program, strangling this important conservation program with more than 40 projects waiting for final funding. As one LMF Board member told me, “It just keeps getting worse.” The LMF Board now is struggling to get Read More
State Debates Where to Put Profits from Increased Timber Harvest
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A special legislative commission is taking a closer look at how the state can spend $8 million in funding generated from timber harvesting of public lands. Gov. Paul LePage has tried to use the money to pay for heating assistance for the elderly, but critics say Read More
Heavier Logging of Maine Public Lands Focus of New Commission
by Christine Parrish Free Press news story A new commission has just been formed by the state legislature to study the impacts of a shift away from a conservation forestry focus on Maine Public Lands to the commercial timber approach it embraced in 2013 — and the possible uses of those new timber dollars. The Read More
